So I haven’t done this in a while, but I guess it’s probably time for one of my moments…You know, those moments where I decide to be completely transparent for a few minutes. At least for a portion of this blog. I honestly believe doing so helps me to know more about myself, and who I am meant to be for my life.

So here goes…

For most my life, I’ve had a part time job. Not the type of job that required any schooling. Not the type that I actually get paid for. It’s not a 9 to 5, but you can actually show up at any point in the day and still be good at it. I’m sad to say that I’ve probably being doing this job better than most for the past 20 years. That job is none other than that of a Judge.

Not only have I provided judgement for others and their situations, but I’ve also been the jury and executioner in the court of my own opinion. I’ve handed out life sentences, bans, fines, etc. Whatever I’ve deemed necessary for the time. I’ve done what most Christians do. I’ve told others that I believed in Jesus and what he is about, and yet, have created my own judgement for individuals when I saw fit. While at the same time not allowing myself to face the same possible punishment for my own crimes of morality. Ouch!!!! Yeah, I’m not gonna lie, it hurt to say it. But I guess the point of it all is whether or not I understood how it could have hurt others when I put them under the jail or microscope of my own imagination.

*****Romans 3:23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God*****

Now don’t get it twisted…I still believe in right and wrong. Still believe in black and white, but the truth of the matter is that I shouldn’t, we shouldn’t as believers or religious folk always be the one to hand out the trolls of punishment on others. We have to allow the True Judge to do his job at the end of the day.

When I think about being judgmental in situations I tend to think about my faith. I constantly go out of my way to say how different I am. 1. Because I’m a believer, and 2. Because I just don’t do things the way a lot of people do. Apparently I always thought that I was a living example of this moral code on how to live life. The fact that I didn’t drink or smoke or partake in certain things made me this moral authority or something. Then I discovered something recently. When or how did I become so “holier-than-thou?” Although I claim to be something different, that thought process makes me in fact, no different from the others. It actually makes me just like the rest. Just like the so-called saints that are out there in the abortion clinics, or keeping Muslims from this country. It makes me just like those that would judge a decision based off of what my eyes saw and not what actually happened. It’s as if the evidence presented showed one thing, but there was something that wasn’t actually brought to the table. But I only saw the circumstantial things…In trying to be better, I acted as if I actually was…and I’m writing to this to say, it’s not what I actually believe.

I believe in God. I believe in Love, and I believe all of us have come short of that on multiple occasions. Just as I do at times, people tend to rely on themselves, in addition to their intellect and their own personal experiences rather that what and who they know God or their creator to be. If He’s loving, then shouldn’t we be? If He’s forgiving, then shouldn’t we do the same? If He trusts us with the benefit of the doubt, then shouldn’t we treat others the way we want to be treated. I’m not gonna lie…this is, and has been historically a very tough lesson to learn.

Here’s a question I would ask to people who have been judgmental to others throughout their lives: Where has the way you treated others got you? Are you better off because of it? Are you a better person? Are you “different” than the rest? If the answer to any of those questions is “no”, then you need to be…

I thought I was being different from every one else by saying so or being different than my actions of my past. But what really makes you so different? Is it saying it or displaying it? It can come across as holier than thou, when the One you follow or say you follow was not that way. Trying to set yourself apart isn’t what Jesus ever did. He always embraced becoming part of the crowd and yet standing out. He always went in but his virtue is what shined through. I think a lesson we could truly learn is to not be so concerned about what others think of us. Or the fact that when we think or believe something, trying to impose that same belief on others because we think they should choose the same path. Stop trying so hard to be different and just be. That’s probably the best thing that can be done. Now I’m surely not saying it will be easy. What truly stands out about us as believers or non-believers alike, is the ability to be in any situation and maintain your life, your integrity, etc. That’s what Jesus did truth be told. I guess the hardest thing for me personally is moving past my own individual stereotypes and ideological thoughts concerning life. It’s been honestly tough for me. I don’t always know how to overcome my judging past. I do, however, know that I am NOT better than any other person. I guess the best thing I can take out of all this is that I do in fact know who I want to be. But am still trying to figure out who I am in that sense. Am I the man that goes to the crowd trying to reach them, or does my just living reach them? What’s the best way to teach, I ask? I have prayed that God teach me how to love. I mean really love in a way that helps others. Guess the only way to truly know how is to love Him and to learn more about myself.

It’s crazy when we often try to argue a belief that we don’t even practice ourselves. That’s why most people view the people who claim to be Christian with the side-eye . Why people could potentially view me that way. I guess I’m working to believe I can overcome all of it. The one thing that has given me pause, is being called to the mat on most of it. The thing is, all one can control is what they do. And the thing I’m trying to do best is be good and appreciative, and grateful. And I know I haven’t done the best job of that lately. Trust me when I tell you, there will be growing pains. But if you go through life thinking how you treat others, and how to apply the “Golden Rule”, you’ll most put down the gavel that you’ve used to judge so many, and start actually living your own life…

I guess what they say is true…you know, that a good writer never gets a vacation…well…Maybe, I’m the only one that says that, or could be that I just made it up for the sake of this blog…

Truth of the matter is, every time I attempt to or have a reason to take a hiatus from blogging, I find myself getting right back to it, because of the silly things that happen in this world. Not silly things I do believe it or not, it’s silly things others do. Or the world. Or let me just come out and say it…possibly WHITE FOLKS…Now don’t get me wrong, black people do silly things all the time, and I don’t want to completely put it on one group or another. But let’s just be honest for a second…Some white folks, just, for all intensive purposes…just take it a little far…

So anyway…

This evening, while watching one of my favorite shows, HTGAWM (How To Get Away With Murder), I heard the rich white guy Asher, talking to some ladies and he accidentally touches one young lady’s behind who he mistook as his girlfriend. When the black girl called him racist, he did what most people of the Caucasian race try to do when accused of such of thing. Try to prove how many black people he actually knows. Now when his black friend actually does appear (recently murdered), Wes something that I found profound. Asher says, “you know I’m not racist right?” Wes immediately says, “You’re not racist. I just think you’re white.” LOL!!!

I’m sorry I had to start out that way because that was one of the truest statements I’ve ever heard. I will say that it is certainly true that black people and other races don’t necessarily see all white people as racist. We don’t actually think white folks are all bad, not one bit. However, I will say this though, even with that being said, white folks still tend to have a way about them that at times makes us wonder if they can be trusted. One that makes them seem oblivious to things of the black culture. Not all of them understand the way we speak, look, dress, walk, etc. They don’t understand the reasons why we tend to get angry at them.

Let’s put it this way: Two people witness a store robbery. When asked to describe what the assailant looks like, in most cases (not all), the one that was black will describe what the person looked like as far as their hair, clothes, etc. When the other person who just so happens to be white describes the same thing, the first thing that they describe is generally the color of someone’s skin. And generally speaking, these are the same people that will say that they don’t actually see color. Hmmm. You saw it that time though. You don’t see color and yet somehow, someway, a miracle happened when you witnessed that robbery. The Lord gave you back you sight of color, for such a moment as this. Hallelujah, prayer really works!!!

Funny, huh…I think so…

I say all that to say, that there’s actually nothing wrong with seeing color, or colors. That actually means something is right about us. It means we see God’s variety and hues that He chose for all of us. It shows that there are in fact differences in people of this world. And that’s a good thing. It becomes a not so good thing when people choose to not allow something because of the color of their skin. Or because they represent a certain ethnicity. I think, but am not to certain, that’s what happened in the time of slavery, separate but equal, and Jim crow right? Then there’s a thing about white people to where the things that happen to black people just don’t seem as though they are on the same radar. When black people generally see a crime, we see the crime and how harsh it is…even and especially when they are black. We are probably more harsh on ourselves then we are on anyone else. But we see it all. We see the fact that white people commit crime and so do black people. But the point is that we actually pay attention to it all. We see what they do and we dislike all of it.
White folks seem to have this inherent FOX NEWS point of view. A few weeks ago, we saw many women and men March for the Women’s March, an incredibly noble cause to which everyone should have participated. The interesting thing is, when something like that happens and it involves black women, where are all those same groups. Where are they then to help the cause? Just asking. Where were those same marchers when it came to Trayvon (Martin)? I mean I get it if you’re weren’t gonna March for Michael Brown (Ferguson). We’re not even sure if he was a criminal. You March for gay rights (LGBT), as you should, but when it comes to movements such as #BLACKLIVESMATTER, where black lives and children are being taken by the police, so many make excuses. Yes there are some that will stand for the injustice, but where’s the support for real? Many got mad when a black president who just so happens to be half-white said that it was upsetting when a white kid walked into a church and shot 9 people who were minding their own business. Dylan roof wasn’t sorry for what happened, and yet there were those that felt he deserved mercy. Com’on now. I might be Christian and believe in mercy but not for someone who is without remorse. But I digress.

My point is that: IF you don’t wanna be deemed as racist, then stop being racist. Stop being biased, and judgmental. And yes, when people speak about racism they do mean white people. Would you like to know why? Because whites historically have hurt many cultures and affected every race because of its own fear. They never asked to share. They always took. Took from Native Americans…still taking for Native Americans (yeah, I said it). Took from Asians, took from Middle Eastern people…South Americans. Oh yeah, and took from….you guessed it…Africa.

Like I said before on many other occasions, of course I’m not speaking on everyone, but if you’re offended by what I’m saying, then I’m probably talking about you. Yes, you’re absolutely right…racism is offensive. To be called a racist is bad, I agree…but when you ignore that it exists and the effect it profoundly has on the world and its cultures, then you sir/madam are in fact just that. A racist. And most of you are just oblivious to the trials that other cultures have had, which makes you (a.) Privileged, and (b.) Most likely white (sorry not sorry).

I would like to take the time to enlighten people on some quotes that people of color find inherently racist:

1. I don’t see color2. My black friend…whom I speak to all the time and love…3. You’re different from what I’m used to…(that’s my favorite)…4. I just had a few bad experiences with black people…5. Did you play basketball (Now although that’s not quite racist, every tall black man doesn’t play ball…) 6. I love hip hop…I used to listen to NWA and Tupac all the time…7. If I could have, I would’ve voted Obama for a third term (yeah, me too…)8. I thought Denzel Washington was incredible in Training Day!! (Really??? Have you seen Malcom X)